Tree rack or holder.



No. 781,552. PATENTED JAN. 31, 1905.

` R, A. MBK. 'TREE RACK 0R HOLDERt APPIVAIOATION FIIAS'D JUNIA18V,1903., l

' To all .wh/071e it may concern:

' A Be itknown that I, RUDOLPH A. Rmx, a citizen of the United States,residing at Fond du UNITED STATES Patented January s1, 1905.

PATENT OEEICE.

- TREE RACK OR HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,552, dated January31, 1905. Application filed June 18, 1903. Serial Nor-162,139.

Lac, in the county of Fond du Lac and State of Wisconsin, have inventeda new and useful Tree Rack or Holder, of which the following is aspecification.. Y

This inventionrelates to tree racks or holders such as are commonlyemployed for supporting Christmas trees.

The object of the invention is to present a device of the characterspecified in which the tree may be readily and securely clamped in placeand easily removed when desired; furthermore, to simplify theconstruction of such v devices and render the same collapsible when notin use, thus to-save space in storage and transportation.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the natureof the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novelconstruction and combination of parts of a tree rack or holder, as willbe hereinafter f fully described and claimed. Y

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andin which like characters of reference lindicate corresponding parts,there is illustrated one form of ernbodiment of the invention capable ofcarrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that theelements therein exhibited maybe varied or changed as to shape,proportion, and exact manner of assemblage without departing from thespirit thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation exhibiting thedevice in operative position with the treel assembled therewith. v lFig. 2 is a view exhibiting the deviceas it appearswhen collapsed. Fig.3 is an enlarged detail plan view showing the diferent parts of thedevice. Fig. 4 isv-an enlarged detail view of the upper portion, showingmore clearly certain parts not fully exhibited in Figs. 1 and 2.

The holder comprises two standards land 2, one of .which is smaller thanthe other to ofthe ends of the bases and projecting above A the base vofthe standard. 2 to present a spur to engage the bottom or butt of thetree. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the standards are approximatelytriangular in elevation; but it is to be understood that the inventionis not to be limited'to this particularshape, as the parts may beotherwise contoured and still be within the scope of the invention. Thesides 4 and 5 of the standards terminate in upstanding clamping members'and 7, the inner side of each of which is provided with a spur or prong8, adapted to be sunk into the bod-y to be supported, and the outersides of the said members being provided with pawls 9 and 10, as clearlyshown in Fig. 3. Surrounding the clamping members is a clamping-ring 11,on the inner side or surface of which are arranged a plurality oftoothed cam-surfaces 12,

in this instance four in number, correspondingto thenumber of pawls, andwith-which the latter engage to hold'the spurs 8 in positive engagementwith the tree T, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. to Fig, 1, `theupper.portion of the clamping members 6 and 7 are reduced from the points 13upward, the free terminals ofthe clamping members being outturned tofacilitate insertion therebetween of the tree. vThe object of reducingthe upper lportion of the clamping members is to permit the spurs 8 tobe `moved out of engagement with the tree when the latter is to beremoved. To facilitate turning of the clamping member, the latter isprovided with a plurality of arms 14, asclearly shown in Fig. 3.

In operation the clamping-ring is turned to such positionas to cause thepawls to be free from engagement with the toothed cams. When the ringisthus positioned, the clamping members will be distended owing to theirresilient character, and the tree is then inserted between them and itsbutt isseated upon the spur 3. The ring is then turnedin the direction'to bring the pawls into engagement with the cams, and in this movementthe clamping members are moved inward, causing the spurs 8 to sink intothe tree, in which they are positively heldby cooperation between thepawls and the toothed cams. When the tree isto As it will be noted byreference ing elements until it reaches the reduced upper portionthereof, whereupon the spurs will spring out of engagement with the treeand the latter may be removed.

The device of this invention is exceedingly simple of construction andwill be found of the highest eiiiciency and durability in use and may bereadily and cheaply manufactured without the employment of expensivemachinery for the purpose.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A holder comprising a plurality of clamping members each providedwith a spur, a clamping-ring surrounding the elements and having toothedcam-surfaces coacting there-V with, and means for holding the ring atany desired adjustment on the said members.

2. A hold er comprising a plurality of clamping members each providedwith a spur and withy a pawl, and a clamping-ring having toothedcam-surfaces to be engaged by the pawls.

3. A holder comprising a plurality of yielding clamping members eachprovided with a spur and with a rigid pawl, and a clampingring havingtoothed cam-surfaces to be engaged bythe pawls.

4. A holder comprising a plurality oiyieldg ing clamping elements eachprovided with a spur and with a rigid pawl, a clamping-ring surroundingthe clamping elements and provided with toothed cani-surfaces to beengaged by the pawls, the clamping elements above the operative plane ofthe clamping-ring heing reduced to permit the ring` to he moved out ofengagement with the pawls.

5. A holder comprising a pair of standards adapted to be nested, thebases of the standards being connected by a spur, a spur and a pawlcarried by the terminals ol each of the standards, and a clamping-ringencircling the terminals and having toothed cani-suriaeosto be engagedby the pawls.

6. Aholdercomprisingapluralityolclaniping elements each provided with aspur and a pawl, a clamping-ring having toothed calnsnrfaces to beengaged by the pawls and radial arms carried by the ring.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aliixedmy signature in the presence oi' two witnesses.

RUDOLPH A. Rllll.

Witnesses:

EDw. RIEK, O'r'ro l. KonN'rorr.

